When it comes to Merritt’s police force, nothing’s better than more women in uniform.
At the Feb. 2 police committee meeting, Merritt Mayor Neil Menard said he thinks Merritt’s police force needs another female officer.
Detachment staff sergeant Sheila White agreed.
“There’s only so many per troop,” White said at the meeting. “In talking to our human resources people, per troop of 32 people in [RCMP Academy, Depot Division], maybe only five or six are female.”
The Merritt detachment currently doesn’t have a female member working as a general duty officer, due to a recent transfer, White told the Herald.
White, has an administrative role, while other female officers working at this detachment serve in capacities outside general duty.
One female RCMP officer is part of the First Nations policing department, and two others work traffic duty. Another works primarily out of the community policing office.
“It’s always nice to have a female [officer] working the streets,” said White.
Adding more, however, will depend on availability of spots at the Merritt detachment and the availability off female members that can be transferred.
